A Call To Prayer

The Legislature resumed on Thursday for what turned out to be a fairly short day. The purpose for this abbreviated fall session is to pass an economic strategy that will help BC manage the current economic situation. Next week, the House resumes business from Monday to Thursday. By all indications, it will be a raucous and combative session as both sides seek to score points in preparation for the election. Politics aside, there is a serious global economic problem that is certain to affect British Columbia sooner or later so it's important to deal with the proposed legislation in a prudent manner with an awareness of the seriousness of the situation and the consequences of a poor set of decisions.

As I sat in the gallery on Thursday, my impression was that, bravado aside, no one really knows what to do because the situation remains so volatile that what may be a good decision today may be a disastrous decision tomorrow. That being said, I am comforted by the confidence that this is not the first time in history that leaders have faced uncertain times. I'm keenly aware that God remains in control and that He is able to either speak to the storm and bring peace or that He will use the storm to accomplish His purposes through it.

In the midst of my confidence, I also see that I must do more than simply observe the leaders and their responses to the markets. I must stand in the gap. Not only I, but we... together... must stand in the gap to pray for those who are making decisions in what has become a very perilous time. If they make decisions that are in keeping with the heart and mind of God, we will benefit as a people and province. If their decisions are contrary to God's purpose and plan, we will face an economic and social disaster.

I'm committing myself to praying diligently for the members of the BC Legislature over the next week as they make decisions. In particular, I suggest that we pray for the following people on a daily basis with the simple request that wisdom and a desire for the highest good would overtake political agendas over the coming week.

Premier Gordon Campbell, Hon. Colin Hansen (Minister of Finance), Carol James, Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Mike de Jong (Government House Leader) and Mike Farnworth (Opposition House Leader)

When you pray, ask the Lord to give these leaders in particular a spirit of wisdom, grace, courage, insight and humility. Our province needs a level of leadership that is able to rise above short term partisanship and political ideology and into a level of unity and cooperation that will result in good decisions being made that will benefit us now and in the future.